A Lifetime of Mammals

About this book

This book is the result of over fifty years of studying and photographing the mammals of the UK in their natural environment. It consists of full descriptions of our native mammals and the landscapes in which they live. It concentrates on the larger mammals such as the badger and foxes, but also all the smaller mammals such as stoats, weasels and polecats, and rodents including squirrels, voles and various mouse species. Finally, it also describes some introduced animals both long-established, such as the rabbit and brown hare, as well as briefer descriptions of the more recently introduced ones such as the mink.

The book deals with how some of the mammals, such as the badger, have had their profiles raised through the work of the author together with Dr Ernest Neal. It was the combined work of various badger experts, including Derek Warren and Dr Neal, and several MPs that resulted in the two badger bills being presented to parliament.

The book contains a chapter by Adrian Middleton, a retired veterinary surgeon, on colour variations in mammals where these variations are described in detail. All of these descriptions within the book are accompanied by photographs of the various mammals taken by the author.

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Biography

Derek Warren was born in Nottingham in 1932. He was an enthusiastic naturalist and an excellent photographer, taking many of the photographs in this book. His work as a school teacher gave him the opportunity to enthuse many generations of young children. Derek was the County Mammal recorder for Nottinghamshire for many years. He lectured on British Mammals for Nottingham University, Workers Education Association, Wildlife Trusts and other conservation bodies, he lectured at Police Wildlife Liaison Officers Conferences for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Constabularies. Derek was a member of a delegation to the Home Office presenting evidence in support of badger legislation leading to the Badger Act of 1973. He was also employed as an advisor for a television company in the filming of badgers for the children's program Woof.